Judas Iscariot is an example of the remorseful sinner. He is sometimes presented in a sympathetic way, as a tragic individual, acting from sincere but misguided reasons, but this is incorrect. Why then did Judas betray Christ? Many theories have been suggested to explain his behavior. A recurring one is that, as a patriot, he was disappointed when he realized that the kingdom would not be manifested as he had hoped, and this turned him against Christ. The problem with this theory is that it is not in the Bible.

The Scripture account of what transpired is straightforward. Judas was the “treasurer” and was pilfering from the money bag (Jn. 12:6); he was an unconverted thief! He betrayed Christ because he coveted money. Satan had entered into him to accomplish the wicked deed (Jn. 13:27), used him as his tool, and then discarded him (Mt. 27:40). Thus the “son of perdition” went to “his own place” (Jn. 17:12; Acts 1:25). Tragic end!

Judas was not a believer, as we learn in John 13:10–11. In light of this, we should not expect any genuine repentance in Judas, and this was indeed the case. When the real consequences of his sin dawned upon him, he “was remorseful.” Sin had blinded him and the fruit of it had opened his eyes, but there was no true repentance—just remorse. It was the sorrow of unbelief: “godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation … but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Cor. 7:10). Judas even confesses the innocence of Jesus, as all His enemies did, but to no avail. Tampering with sin while living in unrepentant unbelief leads souls to destruction, no matter how remorseful. How solemn! May all who read this turn to Christ today!